Thursday, December 12, 2013

If you are a woman, learn to say NO

Source: Google Image

Women in our country are unfortunately
still considered a commodity by the chauvinistic male class and the biggest
example of this chauvinism surfaces during match-making. Ironically, today’s
youth has the temerity to call itself a trend-setter, a pioneer and a social
reformer. The men attend, in thousands, all those candle-march processions and
protests which have become frequent of late. But when it comes to marriage,
they still like to call all the shots and be the dominating partner. Frankly,
there is no harm in trying to dominate when it comes to making the final
decisions or calling for some urgent changes in the couple’s lifestyle. But
most men pose as if they are the divine commanders of their wives who must
always act subservient before them.

Cases of dowry are still pretty common even
in the so-called urban India. Unfortunately, the girl’s parents too should be censured
for the act since instead of protesting, they often support the system and are
only too happy to part with gifts and cash with a cheesy smile.

Why do men enforce their decisions over
their wives once the marital vows are taken? If a woman wishes to continue with
her career, why does she have to sacrifice it just because her husband is keener
on her staying at home and cooking him good food every day? Why does she have
to unhook her buttons and gratify him sexually if he so demands, even if she
does not want to do it every night of her own free will?

But she submits, she turns docile and she
becomes the very woman her husband wants her to become. So, who is at the
greatest fault here?

No, it is not the husband, no matter how
bestial he may be! No, it is not the girl’s parents, no matter how low they may
stoop in their desperation to marry off their daughter!

It is the girl herself who allows her
parents to marry her off to somebody who accepts dowry with both hands, who
allows her husband to decide her future for her, who allows her body to get martially
raped by her ever-hungry sleeping partner.

The only way a change can be brought about
is to turn steely and resolute. If you are a woman, you need to learn to say
NO. It may be hard on you at first; it may even disturb the family harmony and
may also turn your husband against you. But this is the only way forward, the
only way to eliminate chauvinism from the Indian society.

Source: Google images

[This post has been written for the ‘Stay
Free & Healthy Day’ contest in association with Blogadda]

“There's always room for a story that can transport people to another place.” ― J.K. Rowling

About Me

When he realized that he wasn’t made out for a corporate job, Ritesh Agarwal quit CA and took up writing as a full-time profession. He also enjoys teaching, taking amateurish photographs with his over-expensive camera and penning short stories (when he is not procrastinating, that is). Having reviewed dozens of books by dozens of authors, he is hoping that someday somebody would review ‘Lovelets’, the anthology in which he finally got published.
A multi-tasker at heart, he is also planning a career in baby-sitting and story-reading. If you have lots of babies or just wish to indulge in bookish chitchats, you can catch him at Facebook on www.facebook.com/RiteshIsGreatest or toss a friendly email at ritzy182000@gmail.com